Cardinal Spellman saw what it believes was the beginning of its resurgence last season. The Bronx school won just one game last season, only its second win in the last three years, but were within two scores in five contests including a five-point loss to St. Francis Prep in the postseason.

“Last year we got into the fourth quarter in a couple games and weren’t able to finish them off,” senior quarterback Sean Marcano said. “This year we are working hard and looking forward to finishing off those games.”

One of the biggest changes will be a doubling of the coaching staff from three to six, adding an offensive line coach, a defensive line coach and a defensive back scoach. Marcano felt the lack of coaches hurt the team last season when three were trying to instruct more than 40 players.

“There are more coaches to develop the players,” he said. “That’s a good look this year.”

The Pilots feel they have plenty of reasons to be optimistic and Marcano, who threw for 602 yards and eight touchdowns, is one of them. He went to two quarterback camps in the offseason to work on his footwork and mechanics. Marcano will form a dangerous tandem with classmate Kyle Benjamin, who will be the team’s starting running back. Second-year coach Willie Cawley said he could see the two splitting snaps at both positions in a Wildcat look.

“[They’re] scary,” Cawley said. “We are going to put the both in the backfield with both their hands ready and we don’t know who we are going to snap it to as we speak.”

Kyle Phillips, who will also play free safety, and Adrian Aviles will be at wide receiver and Jalen Miller, who will also play linebacker, returns at tight end and fullback. There is a strong group of returnees on the offensive line led my Michael Kelly, Brandon Hill, Marcus Johnson and Ewan Eldermire.

Spellman added two new cornerbacks in seniors Luther Gillespie and Lamar Gillespie. Both played football as freshmen before dedicating themselves to running track. Evan Imbert will be at inside linebacker with Miller. Cawley believes sophomore Paget Bramble is an up-and-coming star at outside linebacker. Johnson will anchor the defensive line with Marcus Ortiz and Lloydell McCalla giving support. Salesian transfer Sam McCalla — no relation — will play inside linebacker and defensive end.

“He’s a beast,” Cawley said of the 5-foot-8, 195-pound transfer. “He has the perfect body,”

All of its pieces and a re-dedication in the weight room has Spellman believing it will take even further strides this season. The wins they let get way last year will be theirs this time.

“Coming into this season I feel the most confidence,” Marcano said. … “We feel like we can finish off more games and be on the opposite end victorious.”